Semi-confident Dub lucky to progress

Ormeau Park, Sunday 14 March 2010, 1:30PM

Dub FC (1)5 Adelaide FC (1)3

Dub came into the quarter finals of the cup having had pretty much a month since their last competitive game. This was not ideal preparation and, having put Rushlight out in the previous round, the lads were struggling to get into the right frame of mind to play second division opposition in the form of Adelaide. The two teams were yet to meet in the league but Adelaide had put together a great run of results and with the controversial six point rule being enforced they could yet be a threat to top the league come May.

The Dub back 5 consisted of Dickson, Harvey, Darryl and Andy in front of Al. Phil D, Mullan, McToal and Price made up the midfield with Donal and Charlie starting up front. Dub were extremely quiet in the buildup to kick off and were under pressure right from the whistle. The small pitch at Ormeau suited Adelaides style of pressure football and Dub struggled to come to terms with the pace being forced.

Adelaide were finding the space that Dub couldn't and had no difficulty getting to the byline past the back four who were definitely out of sorts. Dubs aerial presence was all that stopped Adelaide going ahead early on but eventually the required wake up call came. Adelaide were not afraid to make "enthusiastic" challenges but were also quick to go down when challenged. It was a mistake from the referee that eventually lead to the breakthrough for Adelaide - a fair challenge 25 yards from goal was given as a freekick. The shot was hit low and took a deflection on the way past the wall that left Plunkett with no chance. 1-0 Adelaide.

Dickson was then punished for a fairly innocuous tackle in the corner that had the opposition supporters incensed and tempers were definitely on the rise. The freekick was sent to the back post and headed in but the referee spotted the push that gave the attacker the space to convert. Dub created very little in the way of chances during the first half even after Charlie was unlucky to be sacrificed to bring on the late Glen. Not that he was dead. Just late. Both he and Darryl had half chances but the Adelaide defence held firm till half time.

Dub were finally switched on having had a poor first half (by their own standards). The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Adelaide having a better time of it but Dub were soon starting to pressurise the opposition. Tempers were still running high and a studs up challenge on Dickson resulted in the usual handbags moment. Chances were few and far between but Adelaide were getting the better opportunities, springing the offside trap time and again but wasting crosses.

Dubs patience finally bore fruit as Darryl (who had moved into midfield in a switch with Phil) broke through the middle of the defence and slotted home to bring the scores level. Paddy had come on for Pricey with Donal going onto the left wing. More controversy followed as Dickson clipped the Adelaide strikers heels in an attack. Adelaide were convinced Dickson should have left the pitch. The referee was convinced Phil D was the last man and Dickson was convinced he only caught the player after he had decided to go down. The result: freekick and a booking for the aging defender.

Dub were saved on a number of occasions by an in-form Plunkett who threw himself in the way of several short range efforts to deny Adelaide the win. The boys in black also lost talismanic captain Phil who was nearly concussed in a challenge and had to make way for player/manager/kitman McGurk. Dickson moved to centre half with Harvey and McGurk and Bowd playing full back.

The full time whistle went and Dub had to play extra time for the second cup match in a row. It was still very scrappy with both defences proving unbreakable and finally the outcome had to be decided on the dreaded penalties. Art again invoked the controversial "Kernan Swap" and Donal pulled on the gloves for the shootout - Al had already done his heroics for the day. The order was decided and stand-in captain Dickson surprised everyone by finally winning a coin toss for Dub ("tails never fails" - except for the last 10 seasons).

 

Donal stepped up and sent his opposite number to the wrong corner before taking his place between the sticks and saving a low shot to his right. Darryl "Shall I dink it" McGrady then gave the keeper the old look-right-shoot-left routine and Dub were soon 2 up after Donal saved again. Glen took Dubs third and was unlucky to see the keeper push his shot onto the post. As Art commiserated, Adelaide finally found the net to make it 2-1 after 3. Paddy confidently took the fourth and blasted the ball into the underside of the bar and in much to the relief of the Dub onlookers. The Adelaide keeper was next and had to score to stay in it. He hit the ball hard and straight but Donal had already dived to his right. 3-2.

Dickson was the last name on the sheet and this time was called on after missing out on taking one against Rushlight. He approached the spot in what was described as a "saunter" and picked his place. He too gave the keeper the tried and tested look-right-shoot-left routine. Except the keeper read him like a book. Just as well he moved early and left Dickson the whole right side of the net to hit. Which he did, albeit at a pace his grandmother could outwalk (and with her gammy hip.....).

Cue the celebrations. Dub advance to the semi-finals where they meet last years second division champions Athletico. Elsewhere, St Matts were beaten by Mona who meet Newhill. Dub will have to guard against complacency if they are to reach their second cup final...

Squad

Alan Plunkett, Darryl McGrady, Mark Harvey, Gareth Dickson, Andy Bowd, Darren Price (sub 65 mins), Sean Mullan, Phil Doherty, Donal McCann, Charlie Duffy (sub 30 mins), Peter McToal

Subs

Glen Upton (30 mins), Patrick O'Reilly (65 mins), Ryan McGaughey (70 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Gareth Dickson Donal McCann Patrick O'Reilly Darryl McGrady (2)
Assists	-
Yellow cards	Gareth Dickson
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Gareth Dickson